Etruscan and Roman Art

Description

Aims to give an introduction to the sculpture, painting, pottery, architecture, minor arts and mosaic of the Etruscans and Romans. The period covered will range from the early Italian Villanovan culture, or pre-Etruscan civilisation (ca. 1000 B.C.) to the Roman Empire of about 200 AD. Broad topic themes include the importance of funerary art, the influence of Greek art, the rise of personal portraiture, patronage and the consumer, the problem of originality as opposed to copies, and the use of art in private and state propaganda.

Availability

Not currently available.

Learning Outcomes

1. An understanding and appreciation of Etruscan and Roman art as a rich physical expression of values, aesthetics, religious beliefs and (sometimes) political attitudes of these cultures.

2. An appreciation of the visual and the importance of observation and detail, as well as an understanding of the major art-historical developments; i.e. being able to recognise and understand the differences between objects from different periods in Greco-Roman history; for instance, why a piece of Archaic statuary or vase is different from something Classical.

3. An appreciation of the social and historical context of Etruscan and Roman art and thereby linkages with past and subsequent literary, historical and social environments of Greece and Italy.

4. The ability to offer a critical analysis of both ancient and modern texts which discuss art and its role.

5. Development of oral and written expression capable of conveying the understanding and the analyses referred to in 1 - 4.